Stationary body exercising appliance



Jan. 29, 1963 J. BUSCHER STATIONARY BODY EXERCISING APPLIANCE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 18, 1960 0 mV E C w 6 M r Jan. 29, 1963 J. BUSCHER 3,075,766

STATIONARY BODY EXERCISING APPLIANCE Filed May 18, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUF JUhA/V/V 085,515,?

Jan. 29, 1963 J. BUSCHER 3,

STATIONARY BODY EXERCISING APPLIANCE Filed May 18, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mia-Wm? TOHMW Busch 4 gw u,

Jan. 29, 1963 v J. BUSCHER 3,075,766

STATIONARY BODY EXERCISING APPLIANCE Filed May 18, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOF J'oH/i V/l/ Busc g? States The invention relates to stationary physical exercisers;

Devices of thiskind are intendedtogive everyone, even those unable to ride a bicycle, including olderfpeople and women, the facility of exercise and the-health-giving 'ad-' vantages of cycling. I I I I I I I There are physical exercisers of "various kinds;; On the bicycle principle there is-a tricycle exerciseriwith which considerable pedalling' is necessary, due to the fact that a high ratio of transmission is used to ensure slow pro gression. Nevertheless, this; system requires a' suitable running surface, for example a large enclosed yard and this is not always available. The slow rate of travel obtained by means of complicated" transmission gea'ring greatly increases the cost of such a device; I I I I I The physical exerciser of the invention, on the-other hand, is stationary and can therefore be used in any living room, especially by the open window and hence in the fresh air. It is a pedalling device simil'arto a ladies cycle, but without a chain and without handlebars and is, of course stationary; Instead'ofthe front wheelforka supporting tube is provided which, like the" rear-wheel fork, rests on a tubular frame. These tubular frames rest on tubular'supports with'rub-ber bases, soth at a and stable stand is obtained; The tubular frames give the device aheightwhich enables the pedals tobeoperated with a circular motion despite the absence of wheels. The operation of the pedals drives the pedal crank and a brake disc situated thereon. The brake disc of the pedal crank is subjected to the action of a brake'which; may'comprise a handbrake, an internal expanding brake, a'side'shoe' brake, or a shoe brake actingjon theperiphery of the disc. A Bowden cable leadihg frorn this braking device is fastened on-the right hand part of the frame and at the top carries a guide screw with a wheel bymeans-of which fine'adjustr'nent of the braking effect can be'made. By means of this fine adjustment it is possible to obtain during the operation ofthepedals a precise braking action on the brake disc and hence any-desired resistance as when cycling on the'flat or uphill. As a rule,the saddle of the exerciser is'larger than that'of'a bicycle and is anatomically shaped afterthe style'of a 'motor'cycle'saddle and is equipped at its rear part with a resilient backrest. This is intended to enable the person using the exerciser to rest quietly on the saddleat any time'during exercise without having to dismount or to pause for a'whileafter' strenuous exercise. I I I The invention advantageously pro videsa further development of a stationary physical exerciser of thiskind, by combining such apedalling device intended'for leg movement with' another movement mechanism fo'r' the additional performance ofarm movements 'and/ or move ments of the upper body. This gives everyone,'eve'n peo-' ple in town, the opportunity'of benefiting from the health giving effects of cycling involvinglleg movement with intensivearm and upper body'movement. Although his known to provide means for the compulsory performan'ce of movement-'of-theupp'er part of the body in training devices for sportsmen, these devices are too complicated and unsuitable for general use; On-.the other hand, the device according to the inventionis' a'devi'ce'which can be dismantled and erected in afew minutesand hence; with out taking up an excessiveamount of room,,can-be kept in the collapsed state in a box in an apartment.

According to a feature of the invention, the'stationary atent physical exerciser constructed after the style of a bicycle frame is characterized in that its supporting rod is constructed as an additional exerciser for the performance of armmovements and /or upper body movements and for this purpose can slide along a tubular member or the like in the form of a push-rod against the forceof a restraining mechanism; The tubular element is advantageously disposed on or in the frame head of the bicycle-like frame and adjustable as to height. In particular, it may comprise an angle tube, in the horizontal tubular arm of] which a restraining spring operates and on which a supporting rod'in the form of a push-rod can slide and reciprocate. The angular tube may, however, have a horizontal double'tubular arm in which two restraining springs operate. In theseciroumstances, the double tubular arm is advantageously constructed telescopically somewhat in the form of a tubular suspension damper. The restraining springs may act as tension springs or compression springs and be adjustable in respect of their spring force. Alternatively, the restraining mechanism may comprise a. pneumatically or hydraulically operating piston arrangement.

A further development of the invention having particular-advantages is-characterized in that the sliding mechanismforthe support rod has a rod unit comprising a plu- I rali ty of parallel rods. The rods are advantageously of hollow construction so that then the sliding mechanism for the supporting rod has a tube unit comprising a plurality of parallel tubes. I I I I One'advantageous embodiment of this further developmentof the invention is characterized inthat the sliding mechanism for'the'supporting rod has a twin-tube unit. In these circumstances the two parallel tubes of the twintube unit maybe disposed vertically one above the other. In this case, the upper tube of the twin-tube unit is advantageously held at its ends by the lower tube and constructed as a slide tube on which the supporting rod can slide longitudinally by means of a sleeve or the like. The supporting rod or its sleeve is advantageously equipped with one or more supporting bridge members, which slide along the-bottom tube andprevent the supporting rod from tipping sideways. The upper tubemay be slotted and in its interior a restraining spring for the supporting rod may-be provided. Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the sliding mechanism for the supporting. rodis a triple-tube unit. In these circumstances it is advantageous to dispose the three parallel tubes of the triple-tube unit in a triangular arrangement such that two upper parallel adjacent tubesare held at-their ends by lower central tube. Advantageously, the two upper tubes are con-structed asslide tubes on which the supportingrod can slide longitudinally by means of one or more single sleeves or a twin-sleeve or the like. The restraining'spring-for the'supporting rod is preferably disposed between the upper two slide tubes or between all three tubes; It is advantageous to fasten the restrainingspring byone end-on a twin or triple sleeveor a tube clip or. the like which, in order to vary the spring action; i s-slidable and lockable on the tubesof the triple tub'eunit- The restraining mechanism is advantageously provided with" an indicator to show the person performing the exercisesthe forceapplied for the performance of t he' arm movements and/or upper body movements. When:

restrainingsprings are used, the indicatihgdevice may be a device after. the. style ofi a spring balance equipped with a load scale. In the case of a pneumatic or hydraulic restrainingmechanism the indicator may comprise a-pressure gauge;

The drawings; diagrammatically illustrate 'a number of" exemplified embodiments-of the physicalcxerciser accord-- ing to the invention which, in comparison with the pure bicycle principle, is also arranged for arm movements and/ or upper body movements.

FIGURE 1 shows a physical exerciser, the slide mechanism of which for the supporting rod has a twin-tube unit.

FIGURE 2 is a larger-scale view of the twin-tube unit of FIGURE 1.

' FIGURE 3 is an end view of the twin-tube unit of FIGURE 2.

' FIGURE 4 shows a physical exerciser, the slide mechanism of which for the supporting rod has a triple-tube unit.

FIGURE 5 is a larger-scale view of the triple-tube unit of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an end view of the triple-tube unit of FIGURE 5.

With reference to FIGURES 1 and 4, the physical exerciser is a frame 1 after the style of a bicycle frame and with pedals for the leg movement, the said pedals acting on a braking device In, the braking effect of which can be manually varied during pedalling by means of a Bowden cable 15. The braking device 1a may, for example, comprise an outer shoe brake, an internal expanding brake, a side shoe brake or a band brake. The braking device may also be disposed at another point on the frame 1, for example at the rear or front, and be driven by the pedal crank by means of a drivingchain or other suitable transmission.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES l to 3, a tube 3 is shown inserted in the steering head 2 of the frame 1, the said tube being slidable in the upward and downward direction and correspondingly lockable and being joined fast to another tube 20 at the top at an angle of, for example, 90", pointing in the forward direction. The said tube 20 extends forwardly to a length corresponding to the reach of a long-armed person sitting on the saddle.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES l to 3, the twin-tube unit comprises a lower supporting tube 20 and an upper slide tube 21, which are disposed in parallel relationship to one another and are connected together at their ends by means of the tube clips 22. The upper slide tube 21 is provided with a slot at the top and carries a bush 23 which can be pushed to and fro on the slotted slide tube 21. A pushrod 24 after the style of a bicycle handlebar is disposed transversely on the bush 23. In the bore of the slotted slide tube 21 is disposed a small piston (not shown), on which is fastened a rectangular bolt which fits exactly through the slot in the slide tube 21 and is not visible in the drawing. By means of a longer bolt with a wing nut the push-rod 24 is joined fast to the sleeve 23, the bolt and the piston inside the slotted tube 21. The restraining spring 25 accommodated inside the slotted tube 21 is a tension spring in this case and is fastened by its other end on another small piston, which is mounted at the front end of the slide tube 21 in the bore of the latter. This small piston may be equipped with a small angular bolt, which projects through the slot in the slide tube 21 and is lockable by means of a small piece of thin steel plate with the aid of a wing nut.

If it is desired to perform arm and upper body movements with the device shown in FIGURES l to 3, the wing nut with the small piston and hence the tension spring are first locked in the forward position at the top of the slide tube 21. The push-rod 24 with the larger piston mounted thereon is then pushed downwardly against the resistance of the tension spring 25 and by slight relaxation of the pressure can then be returned by means of the tension spring 25, and so on. By displacing the wing nut with the small piston at the top of the slide tube 21 the spring tension can be reduced so that the tension of the restraining spring 25 can be adapted to the strength of weaker people as well. To enable the push-rod 24 to be locked in any desired position according to arm length and thus be usable as a support for the person undergoing training, when only pedalling is carriedout, the sleeve 23 also carries a locking wing-screw. This screw extends through the sleeve tube 23 as far as the wall of the slide tube 21 and thus enables the sleeve 23 with the push-tube mounted thereon to be locked as desired on the slotted slide tube 21 by means of a wing-screw. Sliding out in the upward and downward directions is not possible because the two parallel tubes 29 and 21 of the twin-tube unit are connected together by means of a tube clip 22 at the top and bottom. The locating members 26 provided on the sleeve 23 slide along the lower supporting tube 20 during the reciprocating movement of the push-rod 24 and thus prevent the support rod 24 from tipping sideways.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 4 to 6, the triple tube unit is formed from three parallel tubes 27, 28 and 29 which extend horizontally and are connected to gether at their ends in a triangular arrangement. The upper two tubes 27 and 28 are slide tubes, while the lower tube 29 is a supporting tube for the same. The slide tubes 27 and 28 carry a twin sleeve 23a which is slidable thereon and which consists of two short tubular elements which are connected together by an angle iron 30. The pushrod or supporting rod 24, constructed after the style of a handlebar, rests on the angle-iron 30 transversely to the slide tubes 27 and 28. The push-rod 24 is fastened on the angle iron 30 in the centre by means of a wingscrew. The upwardly extending part of the angle iron 30 has a semi-circular recess in the centre so that the supporting rod 24 can be disposed longitudinally when the exerciser is packed. At the ends of the slide tubes 27 and 28 two-part tube clips 22a are provided which can be clamped tight by means of suitable screws. Between the tubes 27, 28, and 29 a restraining spring 25a is provided in the form of a tension spring which is attached at one end to the angle iron 30 and is fastened by its other end to the head-end twin sleeve 22a.

If the push-rod or supporting rod 24 is pulled down against the resistance of the tension spring 25a and is then allowed to return by slight relaxation of the pressure, and so on, a continuous movement of the arm and upper body is automatically obtained. By adjusting the headend twin sleeve 220, which consists of the divided tube clips, the restraining spring 2511 can be adjusted, so that the tension of the restraining spring 25a can also be adapted to the force exerted by weaker persons.

I claim:

1. A stationary physical exerciser in the form of a stationary frame constructed according to the style of a bicycle frame, with a brake disc, a pedal crank for driving said brake disc, and a braking device operative on said brake disc, characterized in that a support rod adapted for sliding horizontal movement is mounted on the frame head of said stationary bicycle frame and is constructed on said frame as an additional exerciser for the performance of arm movements and upper body movements including a push rod and a slide mechanism therefor, said slide mechanism for said push rod being a rod unit consisting of a plurality of parallel rods which are co-extensive, said push rod being adapted to slide along at least one of said parallel rods against spring force.

2. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 1, characterized in that said slide mechanism for said push rod is a tubular element consisting of a plurality of parallel tubes, said push rod being slidable along at least one of said parallel tubes against spring force.

3. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide means for the support rod is a twin tube unit.

4. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 3, characterized in that the two parallel tubes of the twin tube unit are disclosed vertically above one another.

5. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper tube of the twin tube unit is a slide tube, spacedly supported at its ends from the bottom tube and a sleeve on the upper tube on which the support rod can slide longitudinally.

6. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 2, characterized in that the slide means for the support rod has a twin tube unit, comprising two vertically superimposed parallel tubes of which the upper tube is a slide tube which is held at its ends by the bottom tube on which the support rod can slide longitudinally by means of a sleeve, and the support rod or its sleeve is equipped with guide members which slide along the bottom tube and prevent the support from tipping sidewise.

7. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper slide tube is slotted and in its interior is enclosed a restraining spring for the support rod.

8. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide means for the support rod is a triple tube unit.

9. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 8, characterized in that the three parallel tubes of the triple tube unit are disposed in a triangular arrangement such that two upper parallel adjacent tubes are held at their ends by a lower central tube.

10. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 9, characterized in that the upper two tubes are two slide tubes on which the support rod can slide longitudinally by means of a sleeve arrangement.

11. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 1, characterized in that the slide mechanism for the support rod has a triple tube unit, the three parallel tubes of which are disposed in a triangular arrangement such that two upper parallel adjacent tubes are spacedly supported at their ends from a bottom central tube and are two slide tubes on which the support rod can slide longitudinally by means of a sleeve arrangement and a restraining spring for the support rod disposed between the tube.

12. A stationary physical exerciser according to claim 11, characterized in that one end of the restraining spring is fastened and provided with a sleeve arrangement, slidable and lockable for the purpose of varying the spring action.

Anderson Apr. 2, 1929 Marlowe Feb. 8, 1938 

1. A STATIONARY PHYSICAL EXERCISER IN THE FORM OF A STATIONARY FRAME CONSTRUCTED ACCORDING TO THE STYLE OF A BICYCLE FRAME, WITH A BRAKE DISC, A PEDAL CRANK FOR DRIVING SAID BRAKE DISC, AND A BRAKING DEVICE OPERATIVE ON SAID BRAKE DISC, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT A SUPPORT ROD ADAPTED FOR SLIDING HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IS MOUNTED ON THE FRAME HEAD OF SAID STATIONARY BICYCLE FRAME AND IS CONSTRUCTED ON SAID FRAME AS AN ADDITIONAL EXERCISER FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF ARM MOVEMENTS AND UPPER BODY MOVEMENTS INCLUDING A PUSH ROD AND A SLIDE MECHANISM THEREFOR, SAID SLIDE MECHANISM FOR SAID PUSH ROD BEING A ROD UNIT CONSISTING OF A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL RODS WHICH ARE CO-EXTENSIVE, SAID PUSH ROD BEING ADAPTED TO SLIDE ALONG AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PARALLEL RODS AGAINST SPRING FORCE. 